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The clouds that hung in the sky were hardly visible through the haze of mist that plagued Athos. The moon was nothing but a faint glow through the white haze. The bulbous globe drifted lazily over naked trees casting dim light on the still waters of the lake that lay slumbering outside a small tent. Inside candles burned with intense life flickering as the wind blew through the small living space.
Twisting restlessly against the sheets that bound her to the bed, Teyla opened her eyes with a throaty growl. Wrestling the sheets from her torso, her feet met the cold ground of the tent. Pushing herself out of bed, she started for the exit. Swatting the flap to one side she took a deep breath of fresh air, smiling at the cold that filled her lungs. The sounds of insects chirping cheerfully reverberated around her as the wind cooled on her face, freezing her skin. Tears burned her eyes as she looked over the murky land of Athos. So many had died, and yet their deaths had meant nothing. Gazing out across the large still lake she sighed. A golden fish broke through the surface of the water gasping for air, and then lazily sunk down beneath its depths again. The few words Alexia had spoken before her death had rung in Teyla's ears, robbing her of sleep.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?" came a gentle voice behind her.
"Shouldn't you?" she replied, not taking her gaze away from the scenery before her. Soft footsteps approached her until John stood at her side.
"What's on your mind?" he asked, looking at her with a sideward glance.
"I have been thinking, about what Alexia said…maybe she was onto something, maybe those solders were really looking for the Quatro."
John nodded understandingly.
"I just wish Rodney could have saved her…" she said, her voice barely a whisper. For the first time she looked at the colonel, her eyes glazed with unshed tears.
"You can't blame it on Rodney, Teyla. He hasn't figured out how to work his…powers yet."
Teyla looked down at the floor and sighed. "I know."
There was a moment's silence, and then John shuddered, rubbing his hands up and down his arms.
"Come on, let's go inside. It's freezing out here." He turned to leave, grasping Teyla's arm gently. Her skin was hot to the touch, his fingertips burning as they brushed past her arm. John frowned, but said nothing.
Taking one last look outside Teyla watched silently as more fog rolled in, almost hiding the outside world from view. Letting the flap of the tent fall back, she turned and sat on the edge of the bed, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her head hit the pillow within moments. Fatigue tugged at her eyelids as she eventually fell into a dreamless sleep.
Xxx
Morning came slowly bringing with it the cold bite of winter. The white haze that had rested above the lake the night before seemed to linger in the same spot, refusing to move as the wind blew restlessly at the waters below it. The only colour that blighted the morning was the faint strips of red in the sky, curling through the clouds and heading for the slowly rising sun. The grass was strewn with a noticeable frost, the white blanket jumping from blade to blade like a million tiny webs. The soft rustle of the leaves could barely be heard over the constant moan of the wind.
Suddenly the Stargate was alive with life, bright colours of shimmering blue and whites shone through the mist, illuminating the dust covered ground on which it stood. Three figures soon emerged, stepping through the mist like ghosts from a fog with their long red robes dragging behind them. The man in front was the oldest. His face was lined with wrinkles and dark brown freckles speckled his face. His robe lazily followed him as he took a few steps forward, glancing at Teyla over the thin rim of his glasses. The other two men were dressed in a similar fashion, and although they were younger, their expression matched that of the first. Teyla took her own shuddering step forward and greeted them with a nod of her head.
"Councilmen, I am glad you could make it." she lied, forcing a small smile.
"Too bad it could not have been in happier circumstances," the eldest spoke, his expression one of disagreeable abhorrence.
Teyla swallowed hard but said nothing, resisting the urge to drop her eyes to the floor. She stepped aside and waved her hand in the direction of the Athosian camp. "Please right this way."
The three councilmen glided past her, the ends of their legs hidden beneath the smoky mist that lingered inches above the ground. Clearing her throat she looked back at the gate and then hurried after the three men, not looking forward to what the day had in store.
Xxx
John hadn't slept at all during the remainder of the night. The constant mumbling in his head had grown into screeching that resembled that of a banshee's frightening wail. His brain told him to sleep but he couldn't as his eyes lids dropped occasionally, heavy with fatigue. Clenching his teeth he slowly rose to a sitting position, cradling his head tightly in his palms. Voices, tired, angry, sad, loving, disapproving, loud, soft all ran through his head at once creating a string of mumbled words and fevered whispering. He couldn't take it anymore, as something deep inside him cracked.
"Shut up!" he screamed, the words bouncing off the walls. The voices had suddenly stopped and nothing but his own thoughts still remained.
"What the hell was that for?" came the squeaky voice of Doctor McKay.
Sheppard looked round to see the scientist face down on the floor, the blanket covering his lower body. Sheppard cleared his throat then rubbed his neck. "Sorry."
"Yeah, well, you should be. I will have you know I was having a fantastic dream and then the next thing I know the floor's coming up to meet me," the scientist droned on. One hand was waving in all directions while the other held tightly to the blanket wrapped around him.
John ignored Rodney's continual rant and got to his feet starting for outside. Pushing the tent flap to the side he watched as Athosians busily went about their day. As usual fires burned bright outside the cooking tents with large steaming black pots atop of them. The Athosians worked relentlessly planting their crops, hoping to gain what they lost a few nights before. John had always found the Athosians a very strong and proud people much like their leader unwilling to admit defeat. Halling walked past him, pulling some strange looking animals behind him. John frowned deeply at the strange creature which resembled a goat and cleared his throat.
"Colonel Sheppard, are you well?" Halling greeted him.
John tore his gaze away from the creature and nodded. "Have you seen Teyla?" the colonel asked.
"She is in a meeting with the Athosian, has been since the sun rose… they were not happy."
John frowned at the man's words, but said nothing. Halling looked down to the floor, and then lifted his eyes as he spoke. "She should be out by the start of the afternoon."
"Thanks," the colonel said watching as Halling walked towards the newly built barns. One of the creatures trailing behind him gazed up at John with its large black eyes that were disproportionate to its head. Sheppard had found the creature very strange and took satisfaction in his amusement as he watched it walk away from him. Its legs seemed too small for the large round body it had. Sighing he rubbed his eyes looking up at the sky, and then started off towards the bathing area, the pain in his head forgotten.
Xxx
The afternoon had come quickly, with the sun rising at an almost rapid pace. The pleasing aroma of food wafted through the air, clinging to the nostrils of the hungry. There was a cool breeze that gently swayed through the grass, but John didn't much care for the smell that followed him or the way the grass played round his ankles. He was just happy that he had not heard a single thought but his own since the morning. Rows of brightly coloured flowers lined the edge of the meadow as John crouched against a tree, hiding himself under the many blades of grass surrounding him. Holding a piece of grass between his teeth he laid on the floor, his hands acting as a cushion behind his head. All of a sudden he heard the pounding sound of footsteps. He shot up, the blade of grass falling from his mouth. He listened again. The unnatural rustle of the grass making him doubt he was alone. Suddenly a shimmering figure appeared before him, its presence almost dissolving until it became a solid shape in front of him. Sheppard's eyes widened as the Luminati soldier loomed over him, raised his gun, and pulled the trigger. A beam of red light engulfed Sheppard, stunning him. The Colonel fell back down to the ground, as the soldier picked him up, effortlessly throwing him over its shoulder. Its gloved hand went to its chest pressing a glowing green button. The solder disappeared in the same manner as it had revealed itself, along with the Colonel.